CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil believes Lloyd Kelly is “still the same” after the defender was replaced as captain.

Named skipper by previous head coach Scott Parker last term, Bristolian Kelly led Cherries as they secured promotion back to the Premier League at the second time of asking.

However, since the start of the 2022-23 campaign, the 25-year-old has been blighted by injury in what O’Neil described as a ‘stop-start season’.

With Kelly dipping in and out of the team, O’Neil took the decision to name goalkeeper Neto as club captain, with Adam Smith remaining vice-captain.

Kelly has enjoyed his longest spell in the team this campaign in recent weeks, recording six consecutive starts.

Asked if Kelly’s improved form was in response to the removal of the captaincy, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He's still the same. Still very vocal, still trains really well. His performances have been excellent as well, since his return this time.

“So really pleased with where Lloyd is. Nothing to do with the captaincy, really. I think he's just had a stop-start season and he's managed to put some real good work in back-to-back weeks recently, and you can see the benefits of that in his performances.

“Lloyd, he's always been really important to us and last few weeks has sort of just been confirmation of that.

“He’s an impressive defender. I thought he was very impressive last season in a group that were chasing promotion.

“He’s had a tricky season, sort of stop-start a little bit, injury-wise. But whenever he’s injured, you’re keen to get him back very quickly, which shows how important he is to the group and the team.”

During Kelly’s time on the south coast, he has been used as both a left-back and centre-half.

Primarily trusted as a centre-back under Parker, his recent run in the side has seen him used as a full-back, with O’Neil comfortable with Kelly in either role.

“I think he can do both,” he continued.

“We use him quite low in it as well.

“We generally have one full-back high and one low and the low one has suited Lloyd.

“But he can play both. I don’t see any issue with him playing left-side centre-back or left-back. I think he has real good physical attributes that can help him with both.

“We’re always working with him on improving the attributes that he needs to play in both positions. It’s a real good quality to have that you can be an expert at both. We try to get him to that level.”